Fly on the Wall Podcast With Chris Sonksen

Are you spending your time doing what actually moves the mission forward—or just what needs to get done? In Episode 178 of the Fly on the Wall podcast, I sit down with my friend Scott to talk about one of the most important leadership principles we teach: Mission Critical. What is it? It’s the few things that only you can do—the ones that, if you don’t, your church’s future is at risk. In this epi...

Change is necessary—but it’s not always easy. Especially when you’re leading a legacy church with deep roots, multiple campuses, and a congregation that’s sensitive to every shift. In Episode 177 of the Fly on the Wall podcast, I sit down with Pastor Ben, who recently stepped into leadership at a church with 75 years of history and only three pastors before him. What followed? Mergers. Staff trans...

If you’re leading a small church or juggling bivocational ministry, this one’s for you. In Episode 176 of the Fly on the Wall Podcast , I sit down with Pastor Bill from Oklahoma for a powerful conversation about the unique challenges (and opportunities) small church pastors face—especially when it comes to balance, burnout, and building a leadership pipeline. If you’ve ever wondered: How do I grow...

Let’s be honest—most staff meetings are too long, too vague, and too ineffective. But they don’t have to be. In Episode 175 of the Fly on the Wall Podcast , I sit down with Pastor Marlando from Washington to talk about how to lead better meetings, handle passive-aggressive attitudes on your team, and prepare for multi-site expansion the right way. If your team meetings have lost energy—or if you’r...

In Episode 174 of the Fly on the Wall Podcast , Chris Sonksen sits down with Pastor Hutson L Goza from Missouri to tackle a challenge so many pastors face: how to regain momentum when your church feels stuck. Hudson leads an 89-year-old church with a deep legacy and a desire for renewal. Together, they unpack real frustrations—plateaued growth, volunteer droughts, cultural tension between generati...

Hey Pastor, In Episode 173 of the Fly on the Wall Podcast , Chris Sonksen sits down with Pastor Rob for a powerful, behind-the-scenes coaching session on one of the biggest leadership bottlenecks in the church: getting leaders to really lead. If you’ve ever felt stuck because your staff or volunteers have maxed out their capacity—or if your church is growing and you’re not sure how to raise the ne...

Ever wonder what might be holding you or your team back—and you don’t even see it? In Episode 172 of the Fly on the Wall Podcast, Chris Sonksen sits down with Pastor Travis for a conversation every church leader needs to hear: how to identify and address leadership blind spots before they cost you momentum, people, or growth. Blind spots aren’t just about personal habits—they show up in our team d...

In this week’s Fly on the Wall episode, Chris Sonksen sits down with Pastor Patrick from Ontario Community Church to explore three complex and timely challenges: navigating momentum, honoring church history, and leading through political division. If you’ve ever wrestled with how to grow a historic church without alienating its past—or how to stay centered on Jesus in a community marked by ideolog...

Whether you're thinking about going multi-site, building a stronger team culture, or just trying to figure out who you can trust with more leadership, this episode is packed with strategy, clarity, and fresh vision. In This Episode, You’ll Discover:  ● Why developing a campus staff matters more than just finding a campus pastor  ● How to use beta testing to avoid costly hiring mistakes  ● A l...

Join Chris Sonksen and Pastor Jon in a high-impact conversation about what to do when your church hits a new kind of “stuck”—the kind that happens after you've grown. In this episode, they unpack the difference between mission and vision, why your structure must evolve with your growth, and how to lead people through change—even when things seem to be going well. If you’ve ever asked, “How do...

Join Chris Sonksen as he sits down with Pastor Sam Kisser for a practical and powerful conversation on hiring the right people, raising them up from within, and identifying what’s truly mission critical in your organization. Whether you’re expanding campuses or adding a part-time team member, this episode dives deep into what makes a hire worth the investment—and what qualities you can’t afford to...

Join Chris Sonksen as he dives into a powerful conversation on leadership non-negotiables with Pastor Rob Shepherd—what every team needs and why not everyone should make it onto the field. This episode is packed with wisdom for pastors and leaders navigating hiring decisions, leadership development, and team growth—especially when resources are tight and roles are critical. If you’ve ever asked yo...

In Episode 166 of the Fly on the Wall Podcast , Chris Sonksen sits down with Pastor Arjay Johnson to tackle a question every leader should be asking: "What does it look like to win the week—Monday through Saturday?" It’s easy to pour everything into Sunday and hope for the best. But as Chris reminds us, Sunday is the result of what we do the other six days. This conversation is packed wi...

In this episode of the Fly on the Wall Podcast , Pastor Chris Sonksen sits down with Brent Powell, a young pastor who recently stepped into the lead role following his father-in-law—the founding pastor of their church. Their conversation dives deep into the complexities of leadership transition, especially when family, legacy, and vision are all part of the equation. Together, they unpack how to h...

Join Chris Sonksen for a powerful conversation with Pastor Daryl on this week’s Fly on the Wall Podcast . Whether you're in a rural setting or launching a new church plant, one question matters: Would your city miss you if your church shut down? In this episode, Chris and Daryl dive into practical ways to increase your church’s impact and influence—regardless of its size. In This Episode, You...

Join Chris Sonksen as he dives into a game-changing conversation on identifying and protecting what’s mission critical in your leadership with Pastor Jared Hight. This episode is a powerful reminder that not everything on your to-do list carries equal weight—and that leading well means focusing on the few things only you can do. If you’ve ever wrestled with what to let go of or how to develop high...

Join Chris Sonksen on this week’s impactful episode of Fly on the Wall podcast, featuring a deep dive into leadership development and effective hiring strategies with special guest, Vince. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to enhance their team’s dynamics and streamline their recruitment process. In This Episode, You’ll Explore: Leadership Development: Techniques to identify and nur...

I’m thrilled to invite you to listen to a pivotal episode of the Fly on the Wall podcast. Join our host, Chris Sonksen, in a strategic session with Pastor Charles Scheffe on the crucial topic of structuring your church for sustained growth. This conversation is packed with actionable insights designed to help your ministry adapt and scale effectively. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Effective Struc...

Tune in to this week’s engaging episode of Fly on the Wall podcast as Chris Sonksen and Pastor Kevin discuss strategic expansion through additional church services. Learn when and how to effectively multiply your service times to accommodate growth without stretching your resources too thin. In This Episode, You’ll Discover: Key Indicators: When it's time to consider adding services based on...

Join Chris Sonksen as he explores effective church growth strategies with Pastor Joshua in this enlightening episode of Fly on the Wall podcast. This session is filled with valuable insights on fostering a transformative culture within the church community. In This Episode, You’ll Discover: The Challenge of Change: How to navigate the complexities of modifying church culture to meet modern needs....

Dive deep into the challenges of managing staff tensions in church leadership with Pastor Chad Dillon and Chris Sonksen. This insightful episode addresses the complex dynamics between lead and executive pastors, providing actionable strategies for fostering a harmonious work environment essential for church growth. In This Episode, You’ll Discover: Effective Conflict Management: Techniques for mai...

Join Chris Sonksen and Pastor Mike Alvarado as they explore the necessary changes that accompany church growth. This episode dives deep into strategic adjustments in systems, staffing, and structure to facilitate expansion and handle increasing attendance effectively. In This Episode, You’ll Discover: Strategies for Scaling Operations : Understand how to adapt church systems and structures to sust...

Join Chris Sonksen as he delves into financial strategies with Pastor Adam Bellamy, focusing on setting up churches to succeed financially. This episode is essential for anyone looking to enhance their church's financial health through effective budgeting and prioritization. In This Episode, You’ll Discover: Strategies for Financial Planning : Learn how to establish and prioritize a budget th...

How to Sustain Momentum with Pastor Ryan in Episode 155 of Fly on the Wall  Join Chris Sonksen as he dives into a crucial conversation on maintaining and understanding momentum in church growth with Pastor Ryan from Great Church. This episode is packed with insightful strategies and real-world experiences aimed at enhancing your leadership and sustaining growth effectively. In This Episode, You’ll...

We're excited to bring you Episode 154 of the Fly on the Wall podcast, where Chris Sonksen and Pastor Tyler delve into the art of casting vision effectively within church leadership. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to enhance their leadership skills and engage their community more profoundly. Tyler discusses the intricate balance between professionalism and pastoral calling,...